13 Horror Bundle

By John McDonnell

There's a chill at the end of every story in this horror collection. Here you'll find a beast in the basement, an Irish sea monster with silver skin, a troll who does online dating, a vampire with killer legs, a chocolate drink with a nasty kick, a man who reverses the aging process, a ghost who murders again and again, and other scary characters. These stories will sink their teeth into you! Every one grips you from the very first word, grabs you by the throat and holds you to the last word (when you'll let out a choking scream of horror). These are scary stories from John McDonnell's previous collections, plus some crackling new tales that will make your hair stand up straight. Don't read them if you're alone in a dark house!

• Language: English
• Publisher: John McDonnell
• Release date: Jul 22, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311048448

John McDonnell

John McDonnell is a British Labour Party politician who was appointed the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer in September 2015. He became the Member of Parliament (MP) for Hayes and Harlington at the 1997 general election, and has retained his seat from then onwards.

Book preview

13 HORROR BUNDLE

A BUNDLE OF SCARY STORIES

By John McDonnell

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2014 John McDonnell

Discover other titles by John McDonnell at Smashwords.com

John McDonnell’s Fiction Blog

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

INTRODUCTION

I don’t usually read introductions. They’re nothing but a soapbox for authors to stand on and preen and talk about how wonderful and popular they are. I have no interest in telling you all that rubbish about myself, so I’ll keep this brief. This is a collection of 13 of my horror stories, the best of my mess-with-your-mind style of horror, in a variety of settings. Every one has a twist at the end, and I hope you don’t see it coming. I’d love to hear what you think of my stories – send me an email at [e-mail].

Also, if you look at my list of ebooks on Amazon or Smashwords, you’ll see that I write in many styles and formats. I write historical romance, humor and poetry, besides the horror stuff. I enjoy expressing my imagination through the medium of words. If you like my writing, keep checking back – I’m always publishing new work.

Thanks, and I hope you get a good scare from this ebook!

John McDonnell

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

PREDATOR

SECOND SKIN

THE RETURNING

HEART STOPPING BEAUTY

TRAFFIC STOP

BEAUTIFUL HANDS

THE HOARD

KARMA LOOP

THE BAD BABYSITTER

THAT BUZZ

SWEET TOOTH

RECOIL

MEAT

OTHER BOOKS BY JOHN MCDONNELL

CONNECT WITH JOHN MCDONNELL

PREDATOR

He looked in the window as he passed a store just down the street from the coffee shop where his next victim waited.

He liked what he saw. The close-cut black hair, the strong jaw, the broad shoulders, the precisely tailored blue blazer and tan slacks, the tasseled cordovan loafers, the sky blue button down shirt with one button open at the top, to show the corded muscle of his neck.

That’s a predator. A stone cold killer.

But he knew how to hide his true colors. You couldn’t show your killer instinct, couldn’t bare your fangs, or it would scare them away. No, that wouldn’t do. Women wanted a man who was successful, but who didn’t flaunt it.

They wanted sensitivity, too. A touch of vulnerability, and that was what he gave them.

The way an animal in the wild can sometimes feign injury, attracting the notice of other predators, fooling them with a false weakness. Then, pow! When they least expect it, they’re caught.  

He was good at that. He knew how to sneak up on a woman’s heart and steal it, make it his possession, like a toy he carried around in his pocket.

It held the key to her lust, a woman’s heart, and that was all he was interested in. When he had triggered the lust, enjoyed to the full what it produced, he was gone.

He looked again at himself in a store window. He liked the way he walked: padding down the street, with that easy grace, gliding like a panther.

This one doesn’t have a chance, he thought.

He’d met her online, like all the others. He subscribed to almost a dozen online dating services, under various screen names. He thought this had to be the best time in history for guys like him. All those women out there, putting their lives online, yearning to make contact with a man.

And he took full advantage of it.

He had it down to a science. He met them, always for coffee at first, always in a crowded place, just to make everything safe and secure. He was always charming, polite, witty, and gentle in that vulnerable way. He made sure to let them know early in the conversation that he had a lucrative job in finance, owned a condo at the beach as well as an apartment in the most expensive part of the city, and drove a Jaguar.

It was perfect. After the first meeting, he’d arrange to take them to lunch in a few days. That would go well, and then it would be dinner. He would kiss them chastely on the lips when he took them home, and he could feel their bodies melting in his well-muscled arms. It only took one more meeting before he’d have them in bed, screaming wildly at his sexual prowess.

A predator, that’s what I am.

He walked into the coffee shop and spotted her immediately. She was sitting at a table in the back, and she had the face he’d seen in her profile, but prettier. Much prettier. She was gorgeous, with a mane of caramel blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, and rosebud red lips. She was wearing a prim gray business suit, but when she rose to greet him he saw the fullness of her breasts beneath the jacket, and hips that curved deliciously in her skirt.

Brent? she said, showing a row of perfect white teeth.

Leona? he said. Good to meet you. He sat down. You’re even more beautiful than I expected.

She blushed. You’re sweet. Thanks for saying that. But you’re quite the handsome devil yourself.

He smiled, letting her see his strong white teeth. Thanks. Can I take your coffee order?

She wanted a large latte. He went over to the counter and there was the black-haired Goth girl with the pierced nose and blue lips who’d seen him do this many times before.

Another victim? she said, smirking.

Now, now, Tabitha, he said. I don’t like that word ‘victim’. Just a new prospect. Secretly, though, he gloated at the way she winked at him, like she was paying homage to his prowess.

He took the coffees back to the table and started into his patter.

So, you’re not from here, right? Your profile said you’re from Sweden originally.

Yes, but that was a long time ago. I’ve moved around so much since then, I consider myself a citizen of the world.

That so? Interesting. I haven’t traveled too much myself. I kind of like staying on my own turf.

She smiled, opening wide, and he glimpsed the pink inside of her mouth. Turf, that sounds funny, she said. I guess you’re like a lion in his kingdom, right?

Yep, that’s me, he said, winking.

He took a sip of his coffee. You haven’t lived in the city very long, though? I think you said that in your email.

I’ve only been here a month, she said. I moved here for my job. She looked out at the men passing in the street. I like it, though. Seems like a lot of opportunities here.

Oh, yes, he agreed, eyeing two pretty girls in short skirts going the other way. There are plenty of opportunities here. But most of those guys out there are losers.

She laughed again. You don’t mince words, do you?

I’m just being honest. They’re shallow, insensitive clods who care only about themselves and their toys. I know, because I grew up here. I went to school with some of them, and I know them very well. You wouldn’t like them.

And what would I like? she said, smiling again.

Tenderness, he